March 2014 – Page 27

PHL-MILF peace deal to be inked ‘end of March’

Mar 042014

(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak upon arrival for the Meeting at the Perdana Putra Building in Putrajaya on Friday (February 28) during his State Visit to Malaysia. President Aquino and PM Najib are expected to discuss the upcoming signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. (MNS photo) PUTRAJAYA (AFP) – The Philippine government and Muslim rebels will sign a peace deal to end one of Asia’s longest and deadliest insurgencies “by the end of March”, Malaysia’s prime minister said Friday after meeting his Filipino counterpart. Prime Minister Najib Razak said President Benigno Aquino invited him to witness the ceremony when “the comprehensive agreement is due to be signed by the end of March”. An official in the office of Aquino’s adviser on the peace negotiations confirmed the signing was targeted for the end of next month though no exact date has been set. “The successful conclusion of the Mindanao peace process… makes possible the empowerment of all the peoples of Mindanao,” Aquino told reporters referring to the southern Philippine state where a decades-long rebellion has killed more than 150,000, mostly civilians. Aquino was speaking to reporters in Malaysia’s administrative capital Putrajaya on his first visit to the neighbouring country. The Philippine government and the 12,000-member Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) completed negotiations last month for a power-sharing arrangement with the nation’s Muslim minority in the south. Muslim-majority Malaysia hosted the negotiations. The Read More …

Palace lauds DOH-PhilNOS for setting world record for most number of organ donation pledges in a single site

Entertainment

Mar 042014

(Department of Health logo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacañang lauded on Saturday the Department of Health-Philippine Network for Organ Sharing (DOH-PhilNOS) for setting the new world record on the largest number of organ donation pledges gathered in one hour in a single site on Friday. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that more than setting a world record, she hopes that pursuits like these continue to be kept alive by the Filipino people. “We hope that the activities undertaken by the DOH will have a lasting impact in terms of raising awareness for organ donation,” Valte said. The Philippines beat the one-hour Guinness Book Record of 2,755 organ donors set by India in just one site last year after a total of 3,548 Filipinos signed up at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Track Oval in Santa Mesa, Manila between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Friday. Donation pledges were also held simultaneously in five other sites in the country – San Fernando City, La Union; Bicol Medical Center in Naga City, Camarines Sur; Mamba Gymnasium in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao; and Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City. According to Assistant Health Secretary Eric Tayag, aside from raising awareness, the purpose of the event was also to remove the bad presumption of some people regarding the transplantation process. In the Philippines, organ transplants are speculated to come from the bodies of kidnapped children which, Tayag clarified was Read More …

Napoles’ ultrasound bill not P130,000 – PNP

Entertainment

Mar 042014

Napoles’ ultrasound bill not P130,000 – PNP

A doctor checks the condition of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles at the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame on Wednesday, February 26. Napoles, alleged mastermind in the P10-B pork barrel scam, has been diagnosed to have ovarian cyst.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Philippine National Police did not spend P130,000 to rent an ultrasound machine for the medical check-up of alleged pork scam architect Janet Lim Napoles. Police chief Supt. Alejandro Advincula, director of the PNP Health Service, confirmed that the national police rented an ultrasound machine for Napoles but said the rent was only P5,000. He said he has receipts to prove that the PNP did not spend P130,000 for Napoles’ ultrasound. He said the OB Gyne Department recommended that the PNP rent the machine. A junior officer at the PNP Health Services earlier told ABS-CBN News that police spent P130,00 to rent the ultrasound machine for Napoles’ transvaginal procedure. The amount is separate from the P120,000 spent just for the security and travel of Napoles to and from FortSto. Domingo in Laguna and CampCrame for her medical examination. The ultrasound machine was allegedly rented from the Health Avenue Clinic near CampCrame. Napoles, a central figure in the pork barrel scam, had asked the court to allow her to undergo medical tests and check-up at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City because these procedures cannot be done at Fort Sto. Domingo. She also asked that the court allow her to undergo hospital arrest if her medical condition merits Read More …

Palace on new Binay party: No comment

Entertainment

Mar 042014

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S MONTH: Senator Nancy Binay, chair of the Social Justice Committee, lauds the dedication and perseverance shown by working women worldwide, especially those serving the public sector. Binay, who gave the inspiring message in celebration of Women’s month during the Senate flag raising ceremony Monday morning, was awarded a certificate of appreciation by Senate Secretary Oscar Yabes (right) and Senate Legal Officer and Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point chair, Atty. Valentina Cruz. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Monday shrugged off news that Vice President Jejomar Binay will be launching a new political party which will carry him as standard bearer in 2016. “We have no comment on the formation of a new political party by Vice President Binay. Obviously, if that is true, that is his decision to make. We have no hand in there, so we have no comment,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press conference. He issued the statement after Binay announced he is leaving the Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipinas-Laban (PDP-Laban) and will instead be forming a new party for the 2016 presidential elections. The party will reportedly be introduced on June 12, Independence Day. Aside from Binay, reports indicate that Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is interested in joining the 2016 presidential race. Lacierda, however, said President Benigno Aquino III is not thinking about these things right now as he is “occupied in governance.” Aquino is chairman of the Liberal Party. “Let me tell you that we are in the Read More …

Zsa Zsa tells Karylle: Gusto ko na maging lola

Entertainment

Mar 042014

Zsa Zsa tells Karylle: Gusto ko na maging lola

Karylle (MNS photo) Zsa Zsa Padilla’s only wish now that her eldest daughter Karylle is set to marry Spongecola lead vocalist Yael Yuzon this month is to have a grandchild soon. An emotional Padilla said she is very happy that Karylle found a responsible man like Yuzon, adding that she wants her daughter to have a blissful married life. “Congratulations K, my first born child. Alam mo naman ang wish ko, isa lang, apo. Gusto ko na maging lola. I’m really happy that you found a very good guy, si Yael. I love him as much as I love you. I wish you all the best and a very long, blissful and happy marriage. I love you very much. We are always here sa tabi mo,” the veteran singer said. Karylle, for her part, thanked her friends who have been helping her prepare for the upcoming wedding. “Siguro sinasabi nila planning a wedding is stressful but it’s actually been smooth sailing. I’ve been so relaxed that all my good friends and my family have been stressed for me. I’m so relaxed. I’m just really thankful kasi ang daming tumutulong,” she said. Karylle also made special mention of Paolo Valenciano, who introduced her to Yuzon. “Gusto ko talaga magpasalamat dahil ang star po ng wedding na ito ay si Paolo Valenciano, ang cupid namin ni Yael. Siya lang talaga ang sure na sure na sure from the very beginning na meant to be kami ni Yael,” she said. (MNS)

PHL pride as Oscar win caps rare quad for songwriter

Entertainment

Mar 042014

PHL pride as Oscar win caps rare quad for songwriter

Filipino-American composer Robert Lopez made many Filipinos proud Monday when “Let It Go,” the song he penned for the popular Disney movie “Frozen,” won Best Original Song in the 86th Academy Awards. HOLLYWOOD, March 3, 2014 (AFP) – Songwriter Robert Lopez gave the Philippines some Oscars joy on Sunday as he completed a rare quadruple triumph at the 86th Academy Awards. The 39-year-old American scooped the Oscar for best original song for “Let It Go” from the Disney hit animated film “Frozen.” The win, which Lopez shared with his wife Kristin Anderson-Lopez, saw the songwriter join an elite band who have won the grand slam of entertainment industry awards – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony – or “EGOT”. Lopez, who is of Filipino descent, paid tribute to his ancestral homeland during a backstage press conference after the win. “Filipino pride. I’m so excited. I’m just sending love to the Philippines,” said Lopez. “I know they’ve had a tough year and I just send out my feelings to them,” he said, referring to the devastating Typhoon Haiyan which battered the country last November, leaving thousands dead. Lopez and his wife revealed they are planning a benefit concert for the Philippines on March 12 in New York. Meanwhile, Anderson-Lopez presented her husband with a home-made necklace to commemorate his “EGOT” status. “The girls and I made something for you, Bobby. Just in case this moment happened. We made it last week,” she said, hanging it around his neck. “It’s made of pasta.” Read More …

Singapore world’s costliest city: survey

Entertainment

Mar 042014

Singapore world’s costliest city: survey

Singapore has one of the world’s highest concentrations of millionaires relative to its 5.4 million population.©aimvotalphotos/shutterstock.com (SINGAPORE-AFP) – The soaring cost of cars and utilities as well as a strong currency have made Singapore the world’s most expensive city, toppling Tokyo from the top spot, according to a survey Tuesday. Tokyo’s weakening yen saw it slide to sixth place, the position previously occupied by Singapore, in the 2014 Worldwide Cost of Living survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). “Singapore’s rising price prominence has been steady rather than spectacular,” said a report accompanying the survey by the research firm. It said a 40 percent rise in the Singapore dollar along with “solid price inflation” pushed the country to the top of the twice-yearly survey from 18th a decade ago. The survey, which examines prices across 160 products and services in 140 cities, is aimed at helping companies calculate allowances for executives being sent overseas. The report said Singapore’s curbs on car ownership, which include a quota system and high taxes, made it “significantly more expensive than any other location when it comes to running a car”. A new Toyota Corolla Altis costs $110,000 in Singapore compared to around $35,000 in neighbouring Malaysia. Overall transport costs in Singapore are almost three times higher than those in New York, it said. “In addition, as a city-state with very few natural resources to speak of, Singapore is reliant on other countries for energy and water supplies, making it the third most expensive destination Read More …

Fishermen protest 144-hectare reclamation of Manila Bay

Entertainment

Mar 042014

Fishermen protest 144-hectare reclamation of Manila Bay

Residents hang on to a rope as they pass strong currents along a flooded area in Marikina, east of Manila, Philippines on Thursday Aug. 9, 2012. A fresh deluge forced more evacuations along fast-rising rivers in the Philippine capital Thursday, as the city and surrounding areas struggled to deal with widespread flooding triggered by nearly two weeks of relentless rains. (MNS photo) MANILA, Mar 3 (Mabuhay) – The government should stop the reclamation project of Manila Gold Coast Corporation which covers 144 hectares of coastline, fishermen from Southern Tagalog said at their fluvial protest action in Manila Bay. The protesters rode in seven fishing boats from Bacoor Bay to the Senate, which sits on another reclaimed portion of Manila Bay, to express their strong opposition to this new reclamation project, which will displace 100,000 coastline residents. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Southern Tagalog (Bayan-ST) together with fisher folk organization Pamalakaya, said the further reclamation of Manila Bay will not only be detrimental to fishermen, but also to residents of Manila who will suffer more severe floods. “In all aspects, this reclamation project will not serve the best interest of our people. It is equally detrimental to the environment and especially those people who live along the coast,” said Bayan-ST spokesperson Andrianne Mark Ng. “Around 100,000 residents are expected to be displaced when the reclamation pushes through,” Ng said. Citing a paper by Dr. Kelvin S. Rodolfo, a geologist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago in Illinois, Ng also pointed out that Read More …

Kenichi Ebina, ang nagwagi sa “America’s Got Talent 2013, ay magtatanghal sa Pechanga

Entertainment

Mar 042014

Kenichi Ebina, ang nagwagi sa “America’s Got Talent 2013, ay magtatanghal sa Pechanga

Kenichi Ebina Ang Pechanga Resort & Casino ay dati nang magiliw na destinasyon para sa mga panauhing Asyano. Mayroon itong “Asian host team” at mga palabas na Asyano na pinapanood ng mga panauhin na may iba’t -ibang lahi. Ikinagagalak ng Pechanga na ihandog ang pagtatanghal ni Kenichi Ebina, ang nagwagi sa “America’s Got Talent” Season 8, sa isang malaking produksiyon sa unang pagkakataon mula nang siya ay nagwagi sa telebisyon. Mararamdaman ng mga tagahanga ang buhay na buhay na lakas ng kanyang pagsasayaw sa dalawang espesyal na palabas na mala-“Kenichi Ebina Dance-ish Entertainment” sa Abril 12 at 13 sa Pechanga Theater. Ang mga tiket ay may halagang $30, $45, $60 at $80 at mabibili mula Martes, Pebrero 25, alas tres ng hapon. Mabibili ang mga ito sa Pechanga Box Office mula alas dose ng tanghali hanggang alas otso ng gabi, sa pamamagitan ng pagtawag sa (877) 711-2946 o sa pagbisita sa www.Pechanga.com/Entertainment. Asahan ninyong makakita ng makatindig balahibong pagtatanghal mula sa soloistang mananayaw na ito na natutong magsayaw sa sarili niyang pagsisikap. Nagsimula si Kenichi Ebina sa pagsasayaw ng Freestyle Hip-Hop at natuto siyang magsayaw ng Poppin’, Lockin’, Mime, House, Jazz, Contemporary at Ethnic. Ang kanyang kakaibang estilo ng pagsasayaw ay kombinasyon ng magkakaibang ilusyon at epekto ng tunog, liwanag at paningin. Siya ay madalas na nakikisayaw sa mga tauhan na nasa malaking tabing sa kanyang likuran, na sarili niyang binuo o ginawa. Ang kanyang taktika ay ang aliwin ang mga manonood na hindi man lang interesado sa sining ng Read More …

Ecowaste asks PNP to ban the smashing of confiscated video karera machines

Entertainment

Mar 042014

Ecowaste asks PNP to ban the smashing of confiscated video karera machines

Linisin angLipunan rally (photo courtesy of Ecowaste Coalition Facebook page) MANILA, Mar 3 (Mabuhay) – The Ecowaste Coalition Monday requested the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stop the polluting practice of breaking impounded TVs and other electronic devices used in illicit gambling activities. In a letter sent to Police Director-General Alan La Madrid Purisima, Ecowaste rebuffed the common practice of physically trashing illegal gambling apparatuses with sledgehammers, warning that mayors and police officials may be inadvertently turning a police matter into a health and environmental issue. The letter, which was also sent to Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, PNP Public Information Office (PNP-PIO) Director Reuben Theodore Sindac and National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Carmelo Valmoria, was prompted by the destruction last week of over 100 video karera (VK) machines at the NCRPO headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, TaguigCity. The coalition recalled that 112 VK machines were also destroyed in Camp Bagong Diwa in March 2013. “While commending the PNP for its relentless campaign against unlawful gambling operations, please allow us to express our legitimate objection over the unsafe manner of manually destroying the VK machines, particularly the TV sets, using sledgehammers.,” according to Thony Dizon, EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect coordinator. Dizon said that gambling TVs, specifically the old analog TV sets, are loaded with harmful chemicals such as cadmium, lead, mercury and brominated flame retardants, to name a few. He pointed out that the inappropriate destruction of gambling TVs causes their hazardous components to be dispersed Read More …

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